Aspen Cracks Down on Peer-to-Peer Rentals After Calculating Tax Loss

Associated Press

- Jul 01, 2014 5:00 pm

Skift Take

Like many destinations, Aspen has only recently considered and calculated the cost unofficial vacation rentals are having on its community and tax collection. Airbnb hosts can expect stricter regulations as officials wise up to the business model.

— Samantha Shankman

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Aspen officials once estimated they were losing $100,000 a year in tax revenue to independent rental websites like Airbnb.

Now the city says it’s getting some of that money back by issuing licenses and collecting taxes from individuals using the sites to rent their homes and apartments.

The Aspen Daily News reported that the city estimated in 2012 that it was losing $100,000 a year in sales taxes and licensing fees to such sites. The city council voted to let people rent their domiciles as often as they wanted, as long as they got a license and paid taxes.

As of February 2014, the city had a total of 61 short-term rental licenses on file. In 2013, the city brought in $73,000 in revenue from 30 new licenses.

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